Hong Kong authorities to monitor just-opened tunnel and road links in New Territories for potential traffic snarl-ups
- Transport officials and police to keep close watch on traffic volumes at Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel and Cross Bay Link
- Local residents and visitors turn the new links into Instagram images as traffic starts to use the new connections
Hong Kong transport officials and police plan to keep a close watch on traffic volume on the just-opened tunnel and road links in the New Territories on Monday as observers warned of a possible bottleneck.
The Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel and the Cross Bay Link opened on Sunday, but traffic on the new landmark routes was hit with a hiccup after a minor accident near the Lam Tin entrance to the tunnel at around 3.35pm backed up vehicles.
Transport authorities at one stage had to appeal to drivers to avoid using the new tunnel to travel to Tseung Kwan O.
The routes, featuring a toll-free tunnel and a connecting double-arched bridge, fast became a popular Instragrammable destination. Locals and visitors jostled for position to pose for selfies in front of the new landmarks.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Sunday said transport officials would be on the alert throughout the day to monitor the traffic on the new network, as well as the old road system, and bus companies had also been told to be prepared to increase services or tackle problems if needed.
